Suspect shoots deputy because ‘voices in his head told him to’

HOUSTON, Tx. – Prosecutors say that the man accused of shooting a Houston deputy constable this week opened fire on the officer because ‘the voices in his head told him to’.

Authorities identified the shooter as 24-year-old Romando Lorenzo Powell. Powell is now facing charges of attempted capital murder of a peace officer after allegedly shooting at Deputy Quentin Goodwill during a traffic stop on Wednesday morning.

“In a recorded interview, after waiving his warnings, stated he shot the deputy intentionally because ‘the voices in his head told him to,'” prosecutors said about Powell.

Investigators say that the 24-year-old moved to Houston from Florida just two weeks ago.

ABC 13 reported that Powell lives with a church member and has worked as an armed guard at a children’s hospital, according to his lawyer. He has no criminal history.

Police say that the deputy constable’s bulletproof vest saved his life.

The Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office reported that Deputy Quentin Goodwill stopped a driver in a silver sedan outside the Missouri City Park and Ride at 13849 Fondren Road just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday. When the deputy got out of his vehicle and approached the suspect’s car, the suspect immediately began opening fire.

Houston Police Assistant Chief H. Gaw said Goodwill had no time to react.

“Before the deputy had a chance to say anything, the suspect fired shots,” Gaw said.

Police say that the deputy pulled over a silver Honda and was immediately fired at when he began approaching the driver. (KHOU 11 News Broadcast)

The constable’s office said that no words had been exchanged before the gunfire began. The deputy was struck twice – once in the chest plate of his vest, and another in the deputy’s flashlight. He managed to get to cover by a nearby METRO station. Authorities say that he did not return fire.

“We checked out his whole body and looks like one round hit him in the chest, but the vest caught it. Did not penetrate through the skin,” the dispatch audio continued.

As the gunman threw his car into gear and sped away, a bystander who had witnessed the shooting immediately went to the deputy to make sure that he was okay.

KHOU 11 reportedly spoke to a witness at the scene. They reported that the deputy constable was able to walk to a stretcher under his own power and was loaded into an ambulance. He was then taken to a nearby hospital and was treated and released later on Wednesday.

Amazingly, the deputy was able to walk to the gurney before being taken to the hospital. (KHOU 11 News Broadcast)

Approximately a half-hour after Goodwill was shot during the traffic stop, a silver Honda sedan with Florida plates – the one matching the description of the alleged gunman – was spotted in town by Houston police officers.

After a short chase, police arrested Powell near the intersection of Post Oak Road and West Orem Drive, the police department said in a statement.

The National Fraternal Order of Police posted a tweet this morning with the hashtag, #EnoughIsEnough.

Yet another officer shot. This is the danger the brave men/women of law enforcement deal w/everyday. A simple traffic stop and in an instant the officer was shot. Thankfully officer’s vest stopped the bullet and suspect was caught. #EnoughIsEnough http:/ https://t.co/qflC3okqLE

About The Author

The staff of Law Enforcement Today is comprised of career cops. Cumulatively we possess nearly a century of experience in the business of police work. Our backgrounds derive from the East Coast, West Coast, South and Upper Midwest. We are the voice of law enforcement, connecting with our readers throughout the entire country and uniting the Blue Family. We have our finger on the pulse of American law enforcement and endlessly support our brothers and sisters who hold the Thin Blue Line.